Bangladesh officially joined the Artemis Accords on Tuesday (8 April, 2025), becoming the 54th nation to endorse a shared vision for peaceful, sustainable, and transparent space exploration. The signing ceremony was held in the capital city, Dhaka, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing engagement with international space initiatives.
Ashraf Uddin, Secretary of Defense for Bangladesh, signed the accords on behalf of the government. The event was attended by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Jacobson, with a special video message delivered by NASA Acting Administrator Janet Petro.
“Bangladesh’s decision to sign the Artemis Accords demonstrates its commitment to a future of cooperation and responsibility in space,” said Petro in her message. “This is about creating a future where humanity explores the Moon and beyond in a way that is peaceful, transparent, and benefits all. We are excited to welcome Bangladesh and look forward to the contributions of its scientists, engineers, and visionaries.”
Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, also praised the move, noting that this agreement lays a strong foundation for deeper collaboration with NASA and the global space community.
“By joining the Artemis Accords, Bangladesh reinforces its role in the peaceful and open exploration of outer space,” said Yunus. “This partnership reflects our national commitment to scientific advancement and international cooperation.”
First introduced in 2020 by the United States in collaboration with NASA and the U.S. Department of State, the Artemis Accords began with just eight founding nations. The accords outline guiding principles for civil space activities, rooted in the Outer Space Treaty and other international agreements. Since then, the list of signatories has steadily expanded, reflecting a growing global consensus around responsible behavior in space.
The Artemis Accords emphasize transparency, safety, peaceful use of space, and the open sharing of scientific data—principles designed to reduce risk and uncertainty while fostering global cooperation.
Bangladesh’s entry into this international framework marks a bold step toward future participation in lunar and deep space exploration, as well as a greater role in shaping the future of space policy and innovation.
